Metal Stock

Due to its small size, the mini-lathe does not need a lot of material to work with, especially when you’re starting out. Finding metal stock in diameters and lengths that are convenient to work with and in alloys that machine well on the mini-lathe, can sometimes be a problem.

You won’t find the stuff you need at Home Depot or Lowes and if you order it, you may find that there’s a 6-foot minimum length, when all you need is a foot or two, but in a variety of diameters.

I’m pleased to now be able to offer a source of top-quality metal stock that’s just the right size for the mini-lathe, and competitively priced.

I’ve teamed up with M&M Specialties, Inc., a high-volume manufacturer of precision screw-machine products based in Greenville, TN.

The stock is the remnant ends from their automatic screw-machine production. These machines go through lots of bar stock, churning out precision parts by the bucket-load in highly automated operations.

But by their nature, they can’t use the last foot or so of the metal bar stock, so those ends become surplus to the production operation. Luckily, those scrap ends are the perfect size for the mini-lathe.

So I’m partnering with M&M Specialties to make this great metal stock available directly to you. This is all top-quality material: 360 brass, 12L14 free-machining steel, various stainless steel alloys and some other specialty alloys from time to time.

I’ll describe some of the available stock in more detail below, but first, here’s some general information about the stock and the ordering and delivery process.

Stock Size and Description#

Most of the stock is sold in assortment packs of round stock in diameters ranging from 1/8" up to 1 1/4" and lengths ranging from approximately 4" to 14".

Some packs may contain several rounds of the same diameter but with varying lengths. And from time to time, hex stock may be available and will be noted in the product description.

Every pack will contain a unique mix of stock, and is sold by weight, as specified in the product description.

The ends of the stock usually are chamfered and there will often be a narrow brown ring near the chamfered end of the stock where the stock is gripped by the autoloader.

The stock may have a light film of oil on it.

All of the material is top-quality, made by the leading metal manufacturers serving US markets - no seconds or inferior-quality stock!

Payment and Shipping#

To initiate your purchase:

• Contact Kermit at M&M Specialties via email:
• Reference the Lot # you wish to purchase from the page below
• Provide your shipping address with ZIP code to calculate shipping charges
• Kermit will email you the shipping charges and the total amount due
• You make payment to M&M Specialties via PayPal, Cashiers Check or Money Order
• M&M Specialties ships the merchandise directly to you via UPS.

M&M Specialties have been in this business for quite a while and have a great reputation - your package will be there quickly!

Here are the details for making the payment via PayPal:

• You’ll need to set up a PayPal account if you don’t already have one. PayPal is a division of eBay.
• Log in to PayPal
• Click the “Send Money” tab
• In the “To” blank, fill in
• Fill in the rest of the blanks and follow instructions to complete the transaction

Sorry, no personal checks or charge cards can be accepted at this time.

The metal stock is securely packed in a heavy-duty cardboard shipping tube, packed tight with newspaper to keep the stock from shifting. It will arrive securely and quickly at your designated address.

Stock Selection#

Currently available stock lots are listed in the section below. Typically, multiple units are available of each lot, but each lot may vary slightly in terms of the number and size of the items and exact weight.

Place your order using the Lot Number.

Lot #7200#

• Price: $81.09
• Weight: 13 lbs. +/-
• Description: 360 Alloy Free Machining Brass

Widely regarded as the best brass alloy in terms of machinability, 360 brass is a pleasure to work with. Brass has a nice heft and lends a warm, rich color to projects with a nautical theme, or where a contrasting metal is desired together with steel, stainless steel or aluminum.

Here’s what Kermit has to say about it:

This stuff machines like butter!!! Best brass you will ever work with!!!!
Makes beautiful finishes on turned shoulders, bores…makes the slickest threads you have ever seen!
You will not be disappointed with this material.

…Every time we get enough of this to make a variety pack, it sells like crazy.

Lot #7203#

• Price: $32.99
• Weight: 11 lbs. +/-
• Description: 12L14 Alloy Free Machining Steel

This is an excellent steel alloy for work on the mini-lathe. A high percentage of lead or bismuth content lubricates the cutting tool so that chips peel away freely, leaving a nice machined surface.

This material is such a pleasure to work with, once you’ve tried it you’ll never want to use ordinary steel again.

If you’ve ever worked with typical cold- or hot-rolled steel, you know how hard it is to get a smooth finish. Often the surface of the metal is left with a rough surface that must be polished with sandpaper or emory cloth to get a smooth finish.

Not with this steel: it will give you a nice clean finish with one pass of the cutting tool (well, assuming that your tool is at least moderately sharp!).

Lot #7208#

• Price: $32.99
• Weight: 11 lbs. +/-
• Description: Free Machining 303 Stainless Steel

This is Ugine material. This is the best machining stainless money can buy! This is very expensive material, used to make medical components and aircraft parts.

These rods can be used for hobby machining, short run CNC work, street rod parts, antique motor parts, antique tractor parts, model building, etc. This material turns and bores super smooth finishes, threads and taps great!

Lot #7204#

• Price: $18.99
• Weight: 3 pcs. 15-16"
• Description: 1-3/16" Diameter 12L14 Alloy Free Machining Steel

This is an excellent steel alloy for work on the mini-lathe. A high percentage of lead or bismuth content lubricates the cutting tool so that chips peel away freely, leaving a nice machined surface.

This material is such a pleasure to work with, once you’ve tried it you’ll never want to use ordinary steel again.